Multiple Choice
Which of the following molecules contains polar covalent bonds?
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Which of the following molecules is overall nonpolar?
A
SO2
B
NH3
C
CO2
D
H2O
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand that molecular polarity depends on both the polarity of individual bonds and the geometry of the molecule, which affects how bond dipoles add up or cancel out.
Step 2: Analyze the molecular geometry of each molecule: SO2 is bent, NH3 is trigonal pyramidal, CO2 is linear, and H2O is bent.
Step 3: Recognize that bent and trigonal pyramidal shapes usually lead to polar molecules because the bond dipoles do not cancel out, resulting in a net dipole moment.
Step 4: Note that CO2 has a linear shape with two polar C=O bonds oriented 180° apart, causing the bond dipoles to cancel each other, making the molecule overall nonpolar.
Step 5: Conclude that among the given molecules, CO2 is the only one that is overall nonpolar due to its linear geometry and symmetrical distribution of polar bonds.
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